Playa del Carmen-Cozumel, Q.R. — The recent price increase for locals for the Playa del Carmen-Cozumel Ultramar ferry route is a decision passed by the federal government says the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT).
The decision for Ultramar to raise local ticket prices from 70 peso to 140 for a single trip and from 150 to 300 peso for a round trip is their right, says the SCT.
Alicia Ricalde Magaña of the Integral Port Administration of Quintana Roo confirmed that the Integral Port “has no interference in the increase in rates that may be applied by the ferry companies operating in the state,” she said adding that this is the exclusive area of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation through the General Directorate of Merchant Marine.
Despite public outcry, to date, the Federal Commission of Economic Competition (Cofece) has not reported irregularities concerning the steep rise in Ultramar ferry tickets along the Playa del Carmen-Cozumel route, an increase that applies only to residents.
“Cofece has not ruled or determined a lack of conditions for effective competition and, consequently, the SCT is not in a position to establish tariff regulation,” the SCT said in a press release adding that as long as there are conditions of effective competition, the rates for the passenger transport service “do not require regulation by the authority.
“Only if Cofece determines the absence of conditions of competition, the SCT could establish Bases of Regulation of Tariffs through the General Directorate of Merchant Marine,” they noted.